--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we are serious about peace, then we…" description: "\"If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and bravely as we have ever prepared for war.\"..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69d/wendell-berry-236_ifs_if-we-are-serious-about-peace-then-we-mu_820190.jpg" --- # If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as… ![“If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and bravely as we have ever prepared for war.” quote by Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69d/wendell-berry-236_ifs_if-we-are-serious-about-peace-then-we-mu_820190.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69d/wendell-berry-236_ifs_if-we-are-serious-about-peace-then-we-mu_820190.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69d/wendell-berry-236_ifs_if-we-are-serious-about-peace-then-we-mu_820190.jpg) > “If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and bravely as we have ever prepared for war.” [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Peace requires the same dedication, planning, and courage we give to war preparation. **In simple terms:** Peace needs war‑like commitment. Key Takeaway Commit fully to peace efforts. Themes peace commitment courage preparation war effort Mood determined serious hopeful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - community organizing - conflict resolution - education campaigns Key Concepts strategic planning collective action moral resolve sustained advocacy Questions to Reflect On - How can societies maintain war‑level vigilance for peace? - What structures keep peace initiatives resilient? A Different Perspective Peace work can be undermined by complacency or lack of resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Far from making peace, wars invariably serve as classrooms and laboratories where men and techniques and states of mind are prepared for the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/far-from-making-peace-wars-invariably-serve-as-classrooms-and/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [The way to secure peace is to be prepared for war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-frankln/the-way-to-secure-peace-is-to-be-prepared-for-war/) Benjamin Frankln > [“One of the surest means of preserving peace is always to be prepared for war.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/one-of-the-surest-means-of-preserving-peace-is-always-to-be-prepared/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [The North can make a steam engine, locomotive or railway car; hardly a yard of cloth or a pair of shoes can you make.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-tecumseh-sherman/the-north-can-make-a-steam-engine-locomotive-or-railway-car-hardly-a/) [William Tecumseh Sherman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-tecumseh-sherman/) > [To be well prepared for war is the best guarantee of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/to-be-well-prepared-for-war-is-the-best-guarantee-of-peace/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [Among the many interesting objects which will engage your attention that of providing for the common defense will merit particular regard. To be prepared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/among-the-many-interesting-objects-which-will-engage-your-attention/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Who would desire peace should be prepared for war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publius-flavius-vegetius-renatus/who-would-desire-peace-should-be-prepared-for-war/) [Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publius-flavius-vegetius-renatus/) > [I'm very anxious. If you're going to fight the best fighters, you have to be prepared for a war, a highly-anticipated fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-nunes/i-m-very-anxious-if-you-re-going-to-fight-the-best-fighters-you-have/) [Amanda Nunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-nunes/) > [To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/to-be-prepared-for-war-is-one-of-the-most-effective-means-of-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [So if you want peace, always be prepared for war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gossip-girl/so-if-you-want-peace-always-be-prepared-for-war/) [Gossip Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gossip-girl/) > [If you want peace, always be prepared for war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-want-peace-always-be-prepared-for-war/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace." George Washington”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arseneault/to-be-prepared-for-war-is-one-of-the-most-effective-means-of/) Stephen Arseneault > [The way to secure peace is to be prepared for war. They that are on their guard, and appear ready to receive their adversaries,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-way-to-secure-peace-is-to-be-prepared-for-war-they-that-are-on/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Preventing war is the work of politicians, establishing peace is the work of educationists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/preventing-war-is-the-work-of-politicians-establishing-peace-is-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [All of us can work for peace. We can work right where we are, right within ourselves, because the more peace we have within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/all-of-us-can-work-for-peace-we-can-work-right-where-we-are-right/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) ## More by Wendell Berry > [During the last 17 years... I have been working at the restoration of a once exhausted hillside. Its scars are now healed over, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/during-the-last-17-years-i-have-been-working-at-the-restoration-of-a/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [Like the water of a deep stream, love is always too much. We did not make it. Though we drink till we burst, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/like-the-water-of-a-deep-stream-love-is-always-too-much-we-did-not/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [To husband is to use with care, to keep, to save, to make last, to conserve. Old usage tells us that there is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/to-husband-is-to-use-with-care-to-keep-to-save-to-make-last-to/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [“The two families, sundered in the ruin of a friendship, were united again first in new friendship and then in mariage. My grandfather made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-two-families-sundered-in-the-ruin-of-a-friendship-were-united/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [The living can't quit living because the world has turned terrible and people they love and need are killed. They can't because they don't.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-living-can-t-quit-living-because-the-world-has-turned-terrible/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [“I knew a man who, in the age of chain-saws, went right on cutting his wood with a handsaw and an axe. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/i-knew-a-man-who-in-the-age-of-chain-saws-went-right-on-cutting-his/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [“The concept of country, homeland, dwelling place becomes simplified as "the environment" -- that is, what surrounds us, we have already made a profound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-concept-of-country-homeland-dwelling-place-becomes-simplified-as/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [A community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared, and that the people who share the place define…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/a-community-is-the-mental-and-spiritual-condition-of-knowing-that-the/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [“That we can prescribe the terms of our own success, that we can live outside or in ignorance of the Great Economy are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/that-we-can-prescribe-the-terms-of-our-own-success-that-we-can-live/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [“The mind that comes to rest is tended In ways that it cannot intend: Is borne, preserved, and comprehended By what it cannot comprehend.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-mind-that-comes-to-rest-is-tended-in-ways-that-it-cannot-intend/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [The mercy of the world is time. Time does not stop for love, but it does not stop for death and grief, either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-mercy-of-the-world-is-time-time-does-not-stop-for-love-but-it/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [The soil is the great connector of our lives, the source and destination of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-soil-is-the-great-connector-of-our-lives-the-source-and/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [I dislike the thought that some animal has been made miserable to feed me. If I am going to eat meat, I want it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/i-dislike-the-thought-that-some-animal-has-been-made-miserable-to/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/laughter-is-immeasurable-be-joyful/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [These are people who are capable of devotion, public devotion, to justice. They meant what they said and every day that passes, they mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/these-are-people-who-are-capable-of-devotion-public-devotion-to/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) [Explore all 847 Wendell Berry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) ## More Ifs quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/histories-never-conclude-they-just-pause-their-prose-their-stories/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. The classic is that your immortal soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/many-individuals-spend-a-considerable-portion-of-their-lifetimes-in/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [If I don't have pressure, I don't function.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferran-adria/if-i-don-t-have-pressure-i-don-t-function/) [Ferran Adria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferran-adria/) > [If you restore a car, and you're making money, then you're doing it wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/if-you-restore-a-car-and-you-re-making-money-then-you-re-doing-it/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/but-we-are-convinced-that-if-we-are-to-play-a-meaningful-role/) [Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) Browse all 94,303 Ifs quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and bravely as we have ever prepared for war.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Wendell Berry" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/if-we-are-serious-about-peace-then-we-must-work-for-it-as-ardently/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ifs" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/if-we-are-serious-about-peace-then-we-must-work-for-it-as-ardently/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69d/wendell-berry-236_ifs_if-we-are-serious-about-peace-then-we-mu_820190.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69d/wendell-berry-236_ifs_if-we-are-serious-about-peace-then-we-mu_820190.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69d/wendell-berry-236_ifs_if-we-are-serious-about-peace-then-we-mu_820190.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and…” — Wendell Berry", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Wendell Berry", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If we are serious about peace,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/if-we-are-serious-about-peace-then-we-must-work-for-it-as-ardently/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/if-we-are-serious-about-peace-then-we-must-work-for-it-as-ardently/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```